The special uses prem gas to get 255 hp vs. 253 for the regular 300M. The special includes body skirts, vented brakes, larger sway bars, 18" wheels, 1/2" lower ride, Carbon Fiber trim, 2.7L gears, and 150mph speedo. 02-04 were the only years, none that I know of. Some of the special owners will probably chime in.

Also the specials had the signal mirrors, HID headlights a firmer suspension and the speed limiter is around 140-150 instead of 118'ish for the non PHP m's.

Php=performance handling group

A non special and non PHP(has many of the same suspension elements as the special if not all minus 18" wheels) is often a 2001. The 99's were the first and there are a few problems like possibly the window clips breaking and input/output sensors in the transmission failing that are more prevalent to the 99 and maybe 00.

I saw a few posts saying the 2001 was a 'good' year but they are all what you make of them you could find a great '99 or a 2001 that's a lemon.

Best years by most is 2002 because it had the most goodies like rear seat headrests (they got molded into the seat after for the last 2 years) rear courtesy lights. Nothing major just the fine details. I got a 2003 special but it was made in Nov 2002 so I have all the goodies but with the 2003 tag because the way car production runs are never jan - dec. Both cars M and M Special are really nice.

A non special and non PHP(has many of the same suspension elements as the special if not all minus 18" wheels) is often a 2001.
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Nope, suspension on the non Special and non PHP is different , much softer ride. thinner swaybars, basically the same suspension an Intrepid ES would have. Venting on the rotors is different on the PHP/Special as mentioned and the knuckles are beefier too. Different leather seat waterfall design was only available on Specials,carbon fiber dash trim and the dual exhaust tips.

Nope, suspension on the non Special and non PHP is different , much softer ride. thinner swaybars, basically the same suspension an Intrepid ES would have. Venting on the rotors is different on the PHP/Special as mentioned and the knuckles are beefier too. Different leather seat waterfall design was only available on Specials,carbon fiber dash trim and the dual exhaust tips.

A non special and non php is the regular m, what I was doing was answering his question about the 'best' one to get ie if he wanted a non special or non php then he wanted the 'regular' m, I said go with the 2001.

The only thing I see here that would steer me away from the Special/php, is the requirement for hi octane gas. Gas is expensive enough as it is. But it sounds like it would be nice to have the other goodies that go along with the Special.

What kind of mileage is everyone getting with these cars (Non-special and Special) ?

I have the '04 Special. It's a sportier, firmer ride with the larger rims. A few more HP. HID headlights. The regular M's ride quieter, softer, smoother, more luxury than performance and handling. Specials also have the body kit and are a half inch lower than regular M's. Also, comes loaded with just about every feature offered for this vehicle line as standard.

The Specials are also a rarer find and breed then the regular 300M's as they were only produced for the '02, '03 and '04 model years.

As for fuel milage, I get about 23mpg with a 60/40 mix of highway/city driving, this using mid-grade octane. They say you need the Premium for the best performance, but I have never noticed anything different with using the mid-grade stuff. Saves a few pennies as well!

With all highway, I have reached 26mpg, all city around 19mpg. Although there are a few cases over on the 300Mclub forum or people getting 30+mpg with their Specials. A lot of it has to do with driving habits, climate, weight, etc.

For the performance and handling the Special offers, the gas milage is actually quite well IMO. Sure, I'd love to get 30mpg but with as heavy as this thing is as well as getting over 260HP (I added a cold air intake, performance boost of ~8HP) out of a 3.5L motor, sacrificing mpg is part of the equation.

So, if you're looking for a smoother, quieter luxury ride, stay with the regular 300M with the smaller rims. if you seek a sportier firmer and more exciting ride loaded to the gills with options, the Special is the way to go!

I LOVE my Special and would not trade down for a regular 300 if I had to. Not that there is anything wrong with them, they are just as sharp, but the Special is far more my style.

I pretty much also only run regular in my Special and it still hauls pretty well. Used Premium a bit and there is no noticeable difference until you probably get it on a dyno and see the slightest drop in HP. Plus if you take good care of your car it will run fine on regular.